A Novel Multi-functional Fluorescent Probe for Cu2+, Fe3+ and Ag+ Based on a Pyrimidine Thiourea Derivative

A multi-functional “turn-off” fluorescent probe, N-[[(6-Amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,3- dimethyl-2,4-dioxo-5-pyrimidinyl)amino]thioxomethyl]- benzamide, was synthesized and characterized. The probe showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards copper(II), iron(III) and silver(I) ions via quenching of its fluorescence. The detection limits were found to be 4.0 – 16.0 ppb for the assayed cations. The thiourea linked uracil fluorescent probe is proved to be sensitive, selective, applicable in real samples and promise for practical applications.